The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior leader responsible for ensuring the County meets its fiscal objectives while delivering efficient, effective, and transparent services to taxpayers. Under general direction, the CFO organizes and oversees the development, preparation, and monitoring of the County budget; provides strategic financial and administrative support to the Chief Clerk/County Administrator, Board of Commissioners, and County departments; and leads fiscal policy development and implementation. This role involves planning, coordinating, and reviewing financial activities, conducting complex analyses, managing revenue and expenditure forecasts, and ensuring compliance with accepted accounting and budgetary practices. The CFO also advises on financial impacts of legislation, supports labor negotiations with cost analysis, and collaborates on capital improvement planning and investment strategies.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Chief Financial Officer reports to the Chief Clerk for the County of Lancaster, who reports to the Elected Board of Commissioners.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer is a Deputy Director of Budget Services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provide managerial leadership, to include the selection, supervision, and evaluation of department staff and the development of department’s strategic plans, with the goal of ensuring the Department’s optimal accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness.

Directs the preparation of the County’s annual budget with consideration of requirements for provision of services, operational goals and objectives, available resources and revenues, cost estimates, and in accordance with the priorities of the Board of Commissioners. Approve a final draft budget to present to the Board of Commissioners and a public presentation thereof.

Analyze current and future financial trends and the financial position of the County; make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners as needed.

Construct revenue and expenditure forecasts; provide alternative budget scenarios, track budget variances and ensure compliance with accepted accounting and fiscal practices.

Develop and implement county-wide accounting and financial management and strategic fiscal policies while partnering with county stakeholders to develop policies.

Working with senior county management, lead periodic reviews of all programs, services and expenditures to determine cost-benefit and whether the programs and/or services are performed in the most cost-efficient manner. Make recommendations to senior management and the Board of Commissioners as needed.

Working with departments, establish grant compliance guidelines and ensure compliance with state and federal guidance as it pertains to applicable cost principals, reimbursement, procurement, and audit requirements. Advise senior management and the Board of Commissioners of sound policy and actions to be taken to ensure compliance with federal or state audits.

Develop key assumptions and reports for rolling forecast of revenues, expenditures, and fund balance.

Oversee the development of rolling cash flow forecast and presentation to the County Investment Board. Participate in Investment Board meetings to advise on liquidity needs, and available dollars for investment portfolio to maximize investment returns.

Develop capital finance strategy incorporating GFOA best practices for use of reserves, available grant dollars, fees, bond/bank/lease financing.

Evaluate all capital financing proposals and alternatives, balancing the use of reserves, tax or tax-exempt financing, and other available and applicable instruments to minimize debt, net interest costs and overall impact to the taxpayers.

Lead all calls with bond rating agencies setting forth the strategy, key analysis, and data points to ensure the best possible bond rating for Lancaster County.

Collaborate with the Purchasing Department to enhance budgetary control, and collaborate with HR on position control and compensation costing

Advise the Commissioners on wage and benefit contracts, in conjunction with the Human Resources Director, and provide timely and effective decision support to the Board of Commissioners, Chief Clerk, and HR with respect to matters of County fiscal affairs.

Build effective partnerships and promote collaborative relationships in the organization.

Interface with the Controller’s Office regarding debt, accrual and receivable estimates, inter-fund expenditures and revenues, and County policies.

Provide fiscal guidance to department heads, and fiscal staff regarding operational strategy and related fiscal impacts.

Working with the IT Department and Controller, review and recommend all financial management and accounting software systems. Participate in technology steering committee to set vision and strategy.

Support departments in creating budget-related agenda items and documentation for meetings of various boards, such as, but not limited to the Board of Commissioners and Salary Board.

Prepare agenda items, budget adjustments, and comprehensive financial reports for the Board of Commissioners.

Monitor changes in laws and regulations; adjust policies and practices as appropriate and report fiscal impacts.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Facilitate team and client meetings and workshops.
Perform other duties and assignments as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or public administration, or closely related field.
Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional level experience in fiscal management directly applicable to the requirements of this position, including a minimum of three (3) in a senior or lead financial or budgetary management role.
Prior experience in local or state government preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Advanced knowledge of accounting principles and practices, cost and fund accounting.
Advanced knowledge of financial techniques used in the collection, review, and presentation of data, governmental budgetary processes, and applicable guidelines.
Knowledge and ability to perform financial modeling and analysis, including interpreting complex financial data, contracts and regulations.
Knowledge of, and ability to adhere to, GASB standards.
Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office and financial reporting software.
Ability to develop organize work in a logical, effective and efficient manner.
Ability to perform a variety of tasks; maintain flexibility to multitask as needed.
Ability to exercise sound judgement in analyzing, appraising, evaluating, and solving problems of a difficult procedural, organizational, administrative and technical nature.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public officials, representatives of other agencies, vendors and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively with customers, peers, and policy-making bodies within the County.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) preferred.
Background check review – criminal, credit and driver’s license.

County of Lancaster

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